The productivity series of PLCs has a Drum and Sequencer instruction.
Drum instructions are great tools. They mimic an electromagnetically drum sequencer. Have you ever seen the mechanisms of a music box? Ok so it’s a little drum with pegs that catch and flick the chimes in a particular sequence to play whatever tune is on the drum. So in the PLC you can have a drum driven by an event, (input from a limit switch or button), or by time.
Sequencers are similar to the drum instruction. The sequencer output can have up to 16 Boolean, Integer or Numerical Tags per step. Drum instruction outputs are limited to the same 16 bit (Boolean) outputs. Each step in the sequencer can be defined by time or /and event and specified outputs can be set going into and out of the step.
We have done similar Drum instructions for the BRX Series PLC and the Click PLC.BRX PLC Drum Instruction – VideoClick PLC Drum Instruction – Video
We will be discussing the drum and sequencer instructions in the Productivity Series PLC. Simple examples will be done to demonstrate the power of these instructions. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!

The program control method and instructions will allow us to specify what parts of the logic get solved and when this happens. This will control how the PLC will scan and solve your logic in your program using a synchronous PLC Scan. Understanding the PLC program scan will explain the synchronous and asynchronous program scanning.
Individual ladder logic programs get solved left to right, top to bottom. The result of the rung before is available for the next rung. The Task Management provides a method to clearly see the overall flow of your PLC program. Looking into the folders of the task management we can see blocks of code. These blocks of contain the ladder logic that will solve our logic. Instructions within the ladder logic code can also determine how the PLC will solve the logic.
We will be looking at using program control in the Productivity 1000 Series PLC.
Let’s get started. Continue Reading!

An array is a storage area for a group of common data type tags. They usually have some relationship to each other and need to be manipulated as a group.
Previously we defined an array and use this in an indirect addressing program. It sequenced bits in an output card indirectly. We then looked at the following instructions: Array Statistics (STA), Copy Array (CPA), Fill Array (FLA) and Shift / Rotate Array (SRA). We will now look at the final four array instructions:Pack Boolean Array (PBA) – Pack an Array of Boolean tags into a destination Word ArrayPack Word Array (PWA) – Convert one 8 bit or 16 bit array into a 16 or 32 bit Destination Array tag.UnPack Boolean Array (UPBA) – Unpack an Array of Word tags into a destination Boolean Array.UnPack Word Array (UPWA) – Convert one 32 or 16 bit array source tag into four 8 or 16 bit array tags.
Let’s get started with our final look at arrays in our Productivity 1000 Series PLC. Continue Reading!

An array is a storage area for a group of common data type tags. They usually have some relationship to each other and need to be manipulated as a group.Last time we defined an array and use this in an indirect addressing program. It sequenced bits in an output card indirectly. In this second part we will be looking at the following instructions:Array Statistics (STA) – This will perform operations such as Summing, Averaging, Minimum Value and Median Value on an Array.Copy Array (CPA) – Copy a block of 1 or 2 dimensional arrays into a destination array.Fill Array (FLA) – Copy a value to a block of array elementsShift / Rotate Array (SRA) – Concurrently Shift or Rotate values in an Array.
Let’s get started with the Productivity 1000 Series PLC arrays part 2. Continue Reading!

An array is a storage area for a group of common data type tags. They usually have some relationship to each other and need to be manipulated as a group. We can use arrays for motion control, recipe management, sequencing (indirect addressing), math, etc. The Productivity 1000 Series PLC uses arrays which are programmed using the Productivity Suite Software.
We will be defining an array and use this in an indirect addressing program. This will sequence bits in an output card indirectly.
Let’s get started with the Productivity 1000 Series PLC arrays. Continue Reading!

Data handling instructions are used to perform movement and manipulations of the memory in the programmable logic controller. The Productivity 1000 Series PLC has fifteen different data handling instructions that can be used in a wide variety of applications. In this second part we will be looking at the following instructions:Lookup Table (LKUP) – Find a value within an XY Table by looking at the intercept of a referenced X Axis value and Y Axis value.Pack Bits (PKB) – Convert up to 32 Boolean Tag Bits or Constant Bits into an Output Integer Tag.Pack Word (PKW) – Convert up to four 8 bit tags or two 16 bit tags, or four Constants into a 16 or 32 bit Destination Tag.Shift / Rotate Bits (SFR) – Shift or Rotate Bits of a Tag or Constant value.Sign Magnitude (SMAG) – Convert Sign Plus Magnitude data type values to 2’s Complement or Convert 2’s Complement data type values to Sign Plus Magnitude.UnPack Bits (UPKB) – Convert up to a 32 Bit Integer Tag or Constant into Boolean Tags.UnPack Word (UPKW) – Convert one 32 bit or 16 bit source tag into four 8 bit tags or two 16 bit tags.
A review of data handling instructions part 1 can be found here. Here is a link to the video.
Let’s get started with the Productivity 1000 Series PLC data handling instructions part 2. Continue Reading!

Data handling instructions are used to perform movement and manipulations of the memory in the programmable logic controller. The Productivity 1000 Series PLC has fifteen different data handling instructions that can be used in a wide variety of applications. In this first part we will be looking at the following instructions:Absolute Encoder (ABSE) – Encoder input using Gray Code or Binary CodeCompare Values (CMPV) – Compare two different tags and determine if equal, greater than or less than.Copy Data (CPD) – Copy tags from one location and place in another.FIFO / LIFO (FILI) – First in first out / Last in first outFirst Bit On/Off (FIB) – Determines first bit on in a series of bit tags.Inc / Dec (INC) – Increment or decrement a tag by a number.Logical Bits (LOG) – Perform logical operations on Boolean input tags.Logical Words (LOGW) – Perform logical operations on tags.
In part 2 of data handling we will continue with additional data handling instructions.
Let’s get started with the Productivity 1000 Series PLC data handling instructions. Continue Reading!

Math instructions are used to perform mathematical calculations. The Productivity 1000 Series PLC has math instructions that can be used in a wide variety of applications. We will be looking at the Data Statistics (DATA) and the Math Editor (MATH).
Your automation system that you implement may involve these instructions. As a system integrator you will require the use of these instructions in your commissioned programs.
Let’s get started with the Productivity 1000 Series PLC Math Instructions. Continue Reading!

A majority of programmable logic controller (PLC) programs will include a counter instruction. The Productivity 1000 Series PLC has a couple of different counter instructions for your program. Under the data handling instructions we have the increment / decrement instruction (INC). We could use this with the compare contact (CMP) instruction that we discussed in our Contact and Coil Instructions (Video) to create a counter application.
The productivity suite software has a Simple Counter (SCNT) and the Counter (CNT) instructions. We will be reviewing these instructions and looking how to implement then in our ladder logic program. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!

Just about every programmable logic controller (PLC) program will include a timer instruction. The Productivity 1000 Series PLC has several different timer instructions for your program. We discussed the timed coil (TMC) and flasher coil (FLS) last time as part of the contacts and coil discussion. (Contact and Coil Instructions – Video)
We will now look at using the Simple Timer (STMR) and the Timer (TMR) instructions in the productivity suite software. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!